Last update:
19-Sep-2022

Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways. It affects 334 million people worldwide. In Europe there are 5.4 million asthma patients, with the disease affecting one in five households, and the United Kingdom (UK) reports the highest prevalence rate. One quarter of all patients with asthma have poor symptom control, and in the UK, 185 people are admitted to hospital every day because of an exacerbation of asthma. Exacerbations of asthma give rise to significant social, psychological and health costs. The mortality rate for asthma has not decreased in recent years, and the condition leads to significant morbidity, resulting in an increase in emergency department visits and a decrease in productivity due to the loss of days at school and work. Epidemiological studies report unequivocal increases in asthma, both domestically and globally, and document the rising economic cost of this disease. Improved access to health care is of great importance, but just as important is the self-management of patients with asthma, achieved by educating people with asthma appropriately. The management of asthma by therapists and public health officers, especially in the primary health care (PHC) setting, can help control this "epidemic", reducing visits to secondary health facilities and preventing the continuing increase in costs associated with the management of this widespread disease.

Key words: Asthma, Asthma costs, Incidence and prevalence of asthma, School asthma.